This handbook sets out Ofsted’s policies and procedures for carrying out inspections under section 97 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 (the 2008 Act) and investigating criminal offences under section 96 of the 2008 Act. It should be used with the Department for Education (DfE)’s ‘Policy statement: prosecuting unregistered independent schools’.
Ofsted: Our approach to inspecting the curriculum in alternative provision (Ofsted, 2023)
This blog looks at the way Ofsted inspects education in schools and the further education and skills sector specifically within AP. Alternative provider (AP) settings provide education for pupils with complex needs that can’t typically be met in mainstream schools. APs rightly differ from mainstream schools – they serve different purposes and have different objectives. When we inspect an AP, we know that we will see different curriculum approaches that reflect the specific needs of the pupils. And we know that we may see some very challenging behaviour.
Thematic reviews of alternative provision in local areas (Ofsted, 2023)
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have jointly published a new framework and handbook for inspecting arrangements in the local area for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
As part of the new area SEND inspection arrangements, Ofsted and CQC will carry out a series of thematic visits each academic year.
Alternative Provision in Local Areas in England: A Thematic Review (Ofsted, 2024)
Major 2024 thematic review finding significant concerns about quality, safeguarding, commissioning and lack of exit strategies in AP. Widely described as a damning assessment of the sector.
Ofsted AP Inspection Framework – Independent Schools
This toolkit sets out the areas that will be evaluated and graded on standard inspections of non-association independent schools inspected by Ofsted under sections 108 and 109 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. It can also be used by leaders to support self-evaluation and continuous improvement. Ofsted, November 2025.